"I think there were a few guys that were pretty excited about it," center Ryan Carter said.

Carlyle said he wanted to mix up the routine, particularly after the Ducks were thoroughly outplayed in a 5-2 loss at San Jose on Oct.30.

"We just felt that it was time for a little bit of a different approach," Carlyle said. "You can see off the morning skate: We're a lot fresher. We feel a lot better about ourselves. It's nice to be able to take a little time away."

A break was perhaps in order as the Ducks are in the middle of playing 11 games in a 19-day span.

"We got a little rest, but at the same time we got a little fun," Carter said.

As far as the bowling, Todd Marchant took top honors with 204. Cam Fowler said he rolled a 145.

Carlyle joked that he thought the American players would fare better on the lanes.

"Those U.S. college (players) took it (bowling) as a major," he said. "Those are on the ones that are good bowlers. The Western Canada kids, they're all good pool players."

--Carlyle said the area of most concern is turnovers. The Ducks had nine giveaways against Nashville, the most during their three-game homestand.

"When we turn the puck over, we are on the receiving end," Carlyle said. "In the NHL, you have to control the puck to a higher level, and if you control the puck more than you opposition does, it really improves your chances for success."

--Carlyle predictably said facing a San Jose club without captain Joe Thornton didn't change his preparation. Thornton, who has 52 points in 47 career games against the Ducks, will serve the last of a two-game suspension tonight for his hit on St. Louis Blues forward David Perron.

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